Higher Russian oil imports a deliberate strategy, says government (response to ‘Oil conundrum’ editorial)
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said higher Russian oil imports were a deliberate response to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz in February 2026.
- The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said India’s higher Russian oil imports were a deliberate diversification strategy after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz in February 2026.
- The Strait of Hormuz was described by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas as effectively closed at the end of February 2026, affecting roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas flow.
- The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said about 45–50% of India’s crude oil imports had been transiting the Strait of Hormuz before the disruption.
- The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said Russian crude supplies rose to around 2.6 million barrels per day in June 2026 and made up more than half of India’s imports that month.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said India’s higher oil imports from Russia were part of a deliberate supply-diversification strategy after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz in February 2026. The ministry issued the response after a The Hindu editorial argued that Russia’s share in India’s oil imports had crossed 40% in May 2026.
The Strait of Hormuz was described by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas as a major global energy chokepoint whose closure at the end of February 2026 cut roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas flow. India was more exposed because about 45–50% of its crude oil imports had been transiting that waterway.
UPSC may ask how energy security, strategic autonomy, and diplomatic engagement shape India’s response to disruptions in major maritime chokepoints. The issue can be used to discuss source diversification, vulnerability to the Strait of Hormuz, and the trade-offs in balancing discounted supplies with geopolitical risk.
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